For Christmas 2011, U.S. Army veteran Charles Franklin Wesley of Dardanelle received a special gift from his two daughters, Charla Keys and Brenda Ragsdale, that finally came to fruition on Oct. 20 when he departed the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock to participate in an Honor Flight.

The two daughters learned about the Honor Flight program that transports veterans free of charge to the nation’s capital to visit memorials, with top priority given to World War II survivors, along with other veterans with terminal illness.

“We knew how much it would mean to him, so we both decided to pay our way and get approved as guardians,” Keys said. “After we were approved, we printed off the application form for daddy and gave it to him as a Christmas gift.”

Wesley said he was indeed surprised by the gift and excited about attending a Flight.

Wesley said he had been to several of the memorials before, but his tour with the Honor Flight was the first time to visit the World War II Memorial.

He said visiting the WWII Memorial was special because it was something he could relate to. Wesley added that the trip was made even more special because he shared the experience with his two daughters.

“I don’t know how to describe how awesome it was,” Wesley said of the Honor Flight. “It was an amazing feeling to witness the patriotism displayed everywhere we went. I would encourage anyone who is eligible to go. It was the highlight of my life.”

“Mine too,” daughter Keys said. “We loved it too.”

Keys said the entire trip was emotional, but she managed to hold back her tears until after they returned home.

To learn more about the Honor Flight go online to www.honorflight.org or contact Bill McKenzie at (479) 290-5039.